Tillage implement with preset disk frame angle

ABSTRACT

An agricultural tillage implement including a carriage frame assembly and pull hitch towed by a tractor and forward and aft secondary frames supported by the carriage frame assembly. The forward and aft secondary frames mount gangs of disk blades for tilling the soil. The secondary frames establish a plane and the aft secondary frame is connected to the carriage frame assembly at a greater distance from the plane than the forward secondary frame so that the depth of penetration of the disk blades is uniform during field operation. The tillage implement has outboard wing sections pivotally connected to the secondary frames and annular shims are provided to establish the wing sections and secondary frames in common plane during field operation, the annular shim being rotatable about central axis to present a common surface to the implements irrespective of the orientation of the shims.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a non-provisional application based upon U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/868,147, entitled “TILLAGE IMPLEMENT WITH PRESET DISK FRAM ANGLE”, filed Aug. 21, 2013, which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to agricultural implements, and, more particularly, to agricultural field tillage implements.

2. Description of the Related Art

Farmers utilize a wide variety of tillage implements to prepare soil for planting. Some such implements include two or more sections coupled together to perform multiple functions as they are pulled through the fields by a tractor, for example, a cultivator/harrow which is capable of simultaneously tilling and leveling the soil in preparation for planting. This implement includes a cultivator that is towed by a tractor in a harrow that is towed by the cultivator.

In one type of tilling operation, rows or gangs of circular disk blades are pulled through the soil at variable depths to break up clods or lumps of soil, as well as old plant material to provide a more amenable soil structure for planting and to level the soil surface. The gangs of disks are arranged on frames that extend generally laterally with respect to the direction of movement through a field and more particularly are angled with respect to the direction of movement. As the width of the gangs being towed by the tractor increases, there exhibits a flexing of the frame that causes the front disks to dig further into the soil than the aft disks. This produces an uneven tillage of the soil. Many attempts have been made to provide disks with dynamic leveling mechanisms in an attempt to achieve a uniform cutting depth of the disks. However, these mechanisms provide added costs owing to their complexity and add to the possibility of mechanical breakdowns during operation.

Additionally, tillage implements of the above type need to be adjusted to ensure that the tillage equipment is in a level plane across the width of its span. For larger tillage implements, wing sections are utilized and they are pivoted between a transport position for road clearance and a field operating position in which they must be level with the main section of the tillage implement. Presently, this is done with shims adjacent the articulated joint. Current shims are set up so that it is possible to have the shim be adjusted out of position with respect to its initial setting. This occurs because of vibration and other field operating conditions.

What is needed therefore in the art is a tilling implement that has uniform disk penetration during operation and reliable adjustment without additional and complicated mechanisms.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a tillage implement with disk blades having uniform soil penetration during field operations.

In one form, the invention is an agricultural tillage implement including a carriage frame assembly with a pull hitch extending in a travel direction. Forward and aft secondary frames extend generally laterally with respect to the travel direction. Forward and aft gangs of disk harrows are connected to and supported by the forward and aft secondary frames to till soil over which the tillage implement traverses, the depth penetration of the forward and aft gangs of disk harrows into the soil being set by the position of the forward and aft secondary frames. The aft secondary frame is positioned a greater distance from the carriage frame assembly than the forward secondary frame, whereby flexing of the tillage support frames during operation causes the forward and aft gangs of disk blades to have uniform penetration depth.

In still another form, the above agricultural tillage implement includes wing sections pivoted between a transport position and an operating position in which the planes of the wing sections are substantially that of the main section wherein an annular shim is placed adjacent the pivot point and has a preselected thickness to maintain the two sections in a common plane.

An advantage of the present invention is that the depth of the disk blades can be preset to produce uniform penetration during operation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of an embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a tillage implement including a support of disk blades embodying the present invention, being pulled by a tractor;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the tillage implement of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the tillage implement of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is an expanded perspective view of an articulated portion of the tillage implement of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 5 is an expanded partial side view of a pivoting joint of the tillage implement of FIGS. 1-4; and

FIG. 6 is a partial view of FIG. 5 shown in a different position.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplification set out herein illustrates one embodiment of the invention and such exemplification is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown a tillage apparatus 10 which generally includes a tractor 12 and an agricultural tillage implement 14 for tilling and finishing soil prior to seeding.

Now, additionally referring to FIG. 2, agricultural tillage implement 14 is configured as a multi-section field disk ripper 14, and includes a carriage frame assembly 16. Carriage frame assembly 16 is the section that is directly towed by a traction unit, such as agricultural tractor 12. Carriage frame assembly 16 includes a pull hitch 18 generally extending in a travel direction 20, and forward and aft directed carrier frame members 22 which are coupled with and extend from pull hitch 18. Reinforcing gusset plates 24 may be used to strengthen the connection between pull hitch 18 and carrier frame members 22. Carriage frame assembly 16 generally functions to carry a shank frame 26 for tilling the soil, and a rear implement 28 for finishing the soil. Rear implement 28 includes a secondary frame 30, leveling blades 32 and rolling (aka, crumbler) basket assemblies 34, which co-act with each other to finish the soil in preparation for planting. Leveling blades 32 and rolling basket assemblies are both attached to secondary frame 30.

Wheels 36, only one of which is shown, are actuated from tractor 12 to raise or lower the carrier frame members 22 and 23 to place the tillage apparatus in a transport position with the wheel assemblies 36 supporting the implement above the ground and an operating position in which the tillage equipment is used to till the soil.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a disk frame assembly 38 which provides support for gangs of disk blades 39 shown particularly in FIG. 2. The disk frame assembly 38 includes forward and aft frame members 40 and 42, respectively. Frame members 40 and 42 are structurally interconnected by a central frame element 44 and outboard forward and aft frame members 46. A further diagonal frame member 48 reinforces the frame members and helps establish the disk frame assembly 38 in substantially a single plane when not in operation. A plurality of pivot joints 50 are positioned along outboard frame members 46 and provide pivoting support for wing sections 52, shown in particularly in FIG. 3. Wing sections 52, as described below, are pivoted between a field operating position in which they are generally horizontal with respect to the disk frame 38 and a transport position in which they are pivoted out of the plane for appropriate road clearance during the transport mode.

Forward and aft lift lugs 54 and 56 consisting of web members secured to forward and aft frame members 40 and 42, respectively, are provided in pairs and have upper and lower holes 58 and 60 to provide a pivotal mounting for rock shaft assemblies 62 specifically shown in FIG. 4. Only one rock shaft assembly 62 is shown in FIG. 4 to simplify the understanding of the invention. It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that rock shaft assembly 62 would be provided for each of the right and left forward and aft lift lugs 54 and 56. Rock shaft assembly 62 has an arm 64, the free end of which is pivotally connected to the lift lugs through either upper holes 58 or lower holes 60. The utilization of upper and lower holes 58 and 60 allows an operator to select disks 39 of two different diameters for appropriate tillage operation. Each arm 64 is integral with a cross shaft 66 that is appropriately journaled and supported underneath carrier frame member 22. The shafts 66 are interconnected with appropriate linkages (not shown) to cause the arms 64 of each rock shaft assembly 62 to be simultaneously pivoted through an arc which sets the ultimate depth of penetration of gangs of disk blades 39 in the soil. Details of the raising and lowering mechanism, which includes hydraulic actuators, are not shown to simplify an understanding of the present invention.

The outboard wing sections or wing frames 52 are pivoted between their field operation position and transport position by actuator assemblies 70, only one of which is shown. Actuator assembly 70 includes a cylinder 72 having an output shaft 74 which is pivotally connected to links 76 on wing frame 52 so that they may be pivoted around pivotal connections of linkage assembly 76.

Particularly referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the tillage implement embodying the present invention has a feature enabling leveling of the apparatus in an effective and reliable fashion. The aft wing member of the forward and aft secondary frame or frame element 42 and the outboard wing section or the wing frame 52 are substantially in a uniform plane. The actuator is shown in the position wherein the aft wing member or frame element 52 and the plane of frame 38 and aft frame member or frame element 42 are substantially coextensive. A linkage assembly 76 includes a frame element or elongated first bracket 88 which is coupled near an end 93 of each aft frame member or frame element 42. The first bracket 88 includes a first end 99 and a second end 100. The first bracket 88 also includes a central section 89 positioned between the first end 99 and the second end 100 which does not contact or connect to the aft frame member or frame element 42. A frame element or elongated second bracket 90 is coupled near an end 95 of each outboard wing section or wing frame 52. The second bracket 90 also includes a first end 105 and a second end 106. The second bracket also includes a central section 91 which does not contact or connect to the outboard wing section or wing frame 90. A portion of the frame element or second bracket 90 overlaps a portion of the frame element or first bracket 88, creating overlapped portions 97. A first pivot axis 86 is formed through the overlapped portions 97, and the first bracket 88 and the second bracket 90 are pivotably coupled together at the first pivot axis 88. The second bracket 90 and the outboard wing section or wing frame 52 connected thereto pivots about the first pivot axis 86 and the first bracket or frame element 42 is connected to the aft frame member or frame element 42. Linkage assembly 76 also includes a first link 98 which is pivotably coupled at one end thereof to the second end 100 of the first bracket or frame element 88. The first link 98 has an opposite end 102 which extends a distance from the first bracket or frame element 88, and the opposite end 102 is pivotably coupled to the shaft 74 of the actuator 70 and to outboard wing section or wing frame 52 through second bracket or frame element 90. Linkage assembly 76 also includes second link 104 which is pivotably coupled at one end thereof to the second end 106 of the second bracket or frame element 90. The second link 104 has an opposite end 108 which extend a distance from the second bracket or frame element 90, and the opposite end 108 is pivotably coupled to the opposite end 102 of the first link 98, thereby forming a second pivot axis 110 positioned above the central portion 91 of the second bracket or frame element 90 when the tillage apparatus 10 is in the tillage position. As stated above, it is essential that the frame assemblies 52, 42 and 38 are essentially coplanar in the field operating position. For this purpose, an adjustment assembly 112 is provided which includes a shim 80 which is positioned to abut an end 93 of the first bracket or frame element 42 and is held in place by a suitable fastener 82, shown herein as a hex head screw. An end cap 84 having a hole 92 is positioned on an end 95 of the outboard wing section or wing frame 52 provides clearance for the fastener 82 when the outboard wing section or wing frame 52 and the aft frame member or frame element 42 of the frame 38 are in the position of FIG. 5. The annular shim 80 has a circular outer periphery so that it presents the same pattern to the end plate 84 regardless of its rotational orientation. Accordingly, vibration, which would cause previous shims to be out of alignment, does not affect shim 80, since it is secured to the frame element 42 at its central axis. As needed, shims may be placed at any or all of the pivoting joints between each wing frame 52 and the plane of each frame element or aft frame member 42 of the frame 38.

As described above, the frame members of the tillage apparatus 10 are subjected to significant force loads, especially when the span of the tillage apparatus is greater, thus requiring a tractor 12 of greater than normal horse power. Pulling through the field causes the rearward frame members to flex and the rear frame to deflect upward which causes the front blades to run deeper than the rear blades. As the machine size is increased, these problems are exacerbated. In accordance with the present invention, the lift lugs 54 and 56 are selected so that the mounting holes 58 and 60 of the rear lift lug 56 are moved up five-eighths of an inch or 16 mm relative to the position of the holes 58 and 60 of the front lift lugs 54. This causes the gangs of disk blades 39 in the aft section to be lower than the gangs of disk blades 39 in the front section during static conditions. However, when the tillage apparatus 10 is operating in the field, the flexing of the frames described above, causes the various frame members to be deflected so that the disk blades 39 have uniform penetration of the soil. Although 16 mm has been proposed for the apparatus illustrated in the figures, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that other differences can achieve the same results with appropriate analysis of the frame size and requirements. What results is an extremely simple but effective arrangement of the components that causes level operation during dynamic field operating conditions. The provision of this feature adds no additional complication to the overall structure, nor does it add any additional cost. As a result, it is extremely effective in producing uniform tillage of the soil.

While this invention has been described with respect to at least one embodiment, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An agricultural tillage implement, comprising: a carriage frame assembly including a pull hitch extending in a travel direction; forward and aft secondary frames extending generally laterally with respect to the travel direction; forward and aft gangs of disks blades connected to and supported by said forward and aft secondary frames to till soil over which the tillage implement traverses, the penetration depth of said forward and aft gangs of disk blades into the soil being set by the position of said forward and aft secondary frames, wherein the aft secondary frame is positioned a greater distance from the carriage frame assembly than the forward secondary frame, such that flexing of the forward and aft secondary frames during operation causes the forward and aft gangs of disk blades to have uniform penetration depth; wherein each forward and aft secondary frame includes an outboard wing section having gangs of disk blades, and each forward and aft secondary frame and each outboard wing section are connected via a linkage assembly, an actuator connected to each linkage assembly for moving the agricultural tillage implement between a tillage position and a transport position, the linkage assembly including an elongated first bracket coupled near an end of the at frame member of each forward and aft secondary frame, the first bracket having a central section which does not contact or connect to the aft frame member; an elongated second bracket coupled near an end of the wing frame of each outboard wing section, the second bracket having a central section which does not contact or connect to the wing frame, wherein a portion of the second bracket overlaps a portion of the first bracket forming overlapped portions, and a first pivot axis is formed through the overlapped portions, the first bracket and the second bracket pivotably coupled together at the pivot axis; a first link pivotably coupled at one end thereof to a second end of the first bracket, the first link including an opposite end which extends a distance from the first bracket and is pivotably coupled to the actuator; a second link pivotably coupled at one end thereof to a second end of the second bracket, the second link including an opposite end which extends a distance from the second bracket and is pivotably coupled to the opposite end of the first link, forming a second pivot axis above the central portion of the second bracket when the agricultural tillage implement is in the tillage position; and an adjustment assembly, a portion of which is carried by an end of the wing frame of each outboard wing section and an end of the aft frame member of each forward and aft secondary frame to permit, when ends are abutted against each other, the aft frame member of the respective forward and aft secondary frame and the wing frame of the respective outboard wing section to be positioned in substantially the same plane when the agricultural tillage implement is in the tillage position, and wherein when the actuator of each forward and aft secondary frame and connected outboard wing section is actuated to move the agricultural tillage implement from the tillage position to the transport position, the first link, the second link, and the second bracket pivotably move, the first link and the second link configured to pivotably move via at least the second pivot axis, and the second bracket configured to pivotably rotate at the first pivot axis, such that the second bracket and the wing frame of the respective outboard wing section connected thereto are pivotably rotated relative to the first bracket and the aft frame member of the respective forward and aft secondary frame connected thereto.
 2. The agricultural tillage implement of claim 1, wherein the adjustment assembly further includes an annular shim carried on the end of the aft frame member of each forward and aft secondary frame, the annular shim having a preselected thickness to establish the forward and aft secondary frame and the outboard wing section connected thereto in a common plane, the annular shim including a central opening therein in which a fastener is positioned to hold the annular shim to the end of the aft frame member of each forward and aft secondary frame, the fastener positioned to project beyond a plane of the annular shim; and an end cap carried on the end of the wing frame of each outboard wing section for abutting the end on the aft frame member and the annular shim and fastener carried thereon, wherein the end cap includes a recess to accommodate the projection of the fastener projecting out of the plane of the shim.
 3. The agricultural tillage implement of claim 2, in which the mechanism comprises rock shafts mounted on the carriage frame assembly and having pivotable links connected to the secondary frames.
 4. The agricultural tillage implement of claim 1, wherein the secondary frames are tied together to form a frame in substantially a uniform plane, said secondary frames further including lift lugs extending out of the uniform plane and connected to the pivotable links of said mechanism, the lift lugs for the aft secondary frame extending a greater distance from the uniform plane than the brackets for the forward section.
 5. The agricultural tillage implement of claim 4, wherein the difference in the distance between the lift lugs on the forward and aft secondary frames from the uniform plane is up to 16 mm.
 6. The agricultural tillage implement of claim 4, wherein each lift lug has a pair of spaced holes for connecting with the pivotable links at one of two positions of the secondary support frames from the carriage frame assembly.
 7. The agricultural tillage implement of claim 2, wherein the carriage frame assembly comprises a pair of forward and aft extending support frames connected to said pull hitch, said mechanism being connected to said forward and aft extending support frames.
 8. The agricultural tillage implement of claim 3, wherein the pivotable links of the rock shafts are connected to said forward and aft secondary frames in a trailing arm arrangement.
 9. An agricultural tillage implement, comprising: a carriage frame assembly including a pull hitch extending in a travel direction; forward and aft secondary frames extending generally laterally with respect to the travel direction; forward and aft gangs of disks blades connected to and supported by said forward and aft secondary frames to till soil over which the tillage implement traverses, the penetration depth of said forward and aft gangs of disk blades into the soil being set by the position of said forward and aft secondary frames, wherein the aft secondary frame is positioned a greater distance from the carriage frame assembly than the forward secondary frame, such that flexing of the forward and aft secondary frames during operation causes the forward and aft gangs of disk blades to have uniform penetration depth; wherein each forward and aft secondary frame includes an outboard wing section having gangs of disk blades, and each forward and aft secondary frame and each outboard wing section are connected via a linkage assembly, an actuator connected to each linkage assembly for moving the agricultural tillage implement between a tillage position and a transport position; the linkage assembly including an elongated first bracket coupled near an end of an aft frame member of each forward and aft secondary frame, the first bracket having a central section which does not contact or connect to the aft member; an elongated second bracket coupled near an end of a wing frame of each outboard wing section, the second bracket having a central section which does not contact or connect to the wing frame of each outboard wing section, wherein a portion of the second bracket overlaps a portion of the first bracket forming overlapped portions, and a first pivot axis is formed through the overlapped portions, the first bracket and the second bracket pivotably coupled together at the pivot axis; a first link pivotably coupled at one end thereof to a second end of the first bracket, the first link including an opposite end which extends a distance from the first bracket and is pivotably coupled to the actuator; and a second link pivotably coupled at one end thereof to a second end of the second bracket, the second link including an opposite end which extends a distance from the second bracket and is pivotably coupled to the opposite end of the first link, forming a second pivot axis above the central portion of the second bracket when the agricultural tillage implement is in the tillage position; an adjustment assembly, a portion carried by an end of the aft frame member of each forward and aft secondary frame, and another portion carried by an end of the wing frame of each outboard wing section to permit abutment of the end of the aft frame member against the end of the wing frame when the agricultural tillage implement is in the tillage position, the adjustment assembly including an annular shim carried on the end of the aft frame member of each forward and aft secondary frame, the annular shim having a preselected thickness to establish at least the wing frame of each outboard wing section and the aft frame member of each forward and aft secondary frame in a common plane, the annular shim including a central opening therein in which a fastener is positioned to hold the annular shim to the end of the aft frame member of each forward and aft secondary frame, the fastener positioned to project beyond a plane of the annular shim; and an cap carried on the end of the wing frame of each outboard wing section for abutting the end of each aft frame member and the annular shim and fastener carried thereon, wherein the end cap includes a recess to accommodate the projection of the fastener projecting out of the plane of the shim, the annular shim and fastener on the aft frame member cooperating with the end cap and recess on the wing frame member, when abutted, to position the wing frame of each outboard wing section and the aft frame member of each forward and aft secondary frame in the common plane. 